Waking to a sunny day and getting ready for the 9 NM trip to Harbour View Marina in Marsh Harbour. After checking out I worried about backing this 42′ boat out of its slip and twist to leave with only 25 to 30 feet from my stern to the 75′ Horizon moored on the sea wall directly astern, especially with a fresh wind and strong current pushing me into the large yacht. Others wondered also; the Horizon’s captain brought out a fender and crew to fend BenjOllie off, if necessary. My fellow boaters all came out to talk over options, but Robert the Dock Master had the right plan. He and 3 helpers walked down the pier and Robert directed the crew and volunteers as they grabbed all lines and we safely and quickly pushed the boat out of the slip and carefully twisted her parallel to the Horizon aimed out of the fairway, as the engines rested at idle. While Carey quickly hauled in all lines after the boat was positioned, she got a heartly shout out from the Horizon crew, as they said, “we’re from Virginia, too!” Fun experience, overall.
Safely underway we talked about the white-haired lady on a catamaran moored at our pier. Neither of us got her name but had learned that as a newly widowed at 80, she sold her home in Massachusetts, bought this 30ish foot boat to live on, and she does just that on a mooring ball in Hope Town. Using her dinghy for trips to town, she manages quite well, per the locals, and is now 96. Robert the Dock Master had her move into a slip at the Hope Town Inn and Marina for a few days as this weekend will see some mighty strong winds. Absolutely amazing.
We made the Marsh Harbour trip in just over an hour, backed into our slip and secured the boat for the expected front this weekend. While not the best picture, the aerial shot below gives a feel for the layout of this town in the Sea of Abaco. We’re staying at Harbour View Marina and the entrance to the Bay is at top left as you enter from the north. There are two other marinas in this bay. In addition, Abaco Resort and Boat Harbour Marina is on the south side of the island. The last picture is a sample of one of the homes in the town.
